Editor:
I am moved to write in response—support, really—to Chris Dickey’s letter in last week’s Times. Chris rightly “applauded” City Hall for going ahead with the fireworks, defying sometimes ugly criticism and demands to call the whole thing off. Fires seemed to surround us, smoke filled the air, and even I, characteristically the most rebellious of ancient spirits, felt we should cancel just to show solidarity with less-fortunate areas and respect for Nature’s power to suddenly decide to scorch us. In Chris’ letter, I learned that our fire chief, Hugo Ferchau, was the unhappy recipient of most of the nastiness, some of it violently nasty. Hugo stood tall (how else?) as did others in charge. The event was, in a word, “killer.” And I hope, though (sadly) doubt, threatening voices have either fallen silent, or at best called to apologize. Hugo Ferchau is our fire chief. He is on top of this and any situation demanding expertise and attention. He says it’s safe. We should listen.
Now, as for Chris Dickey’s thoughts on retiring the national anthem and replacing it with “My Country, 'Tis of Thee?” I am of two minds: No. and Heck no. Not because I favor “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Heck no. I simply have a better—as in far better—suggestion, which goes like this:
“Lift Every Voice and Sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.”
No disrespect to Chris. Heck no. But let’s be like Hugo and face it: I am more experienced and, some—many?—would hasten to add, more, uh, in tune with subjects requiring an ear—even two ears in my case—for this kind of thing. Yes, yes, I know “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is the Black national anthem, but in my view Black people have sung it long enough without our accompaniment. But Mike, are you saying let’s share? Heck yes.
Mike Ritchey
Gunnison
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